WO1996012114A1

WO1996012114A1 - Fastening device

Info

Publication number: WO1996012114A1
Application number: PCT/SE1995/001204
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jarl Assmundson
Original assignee: Anglo Dutch International Finance N.V.
Priority date: 1994-10-17
Filing date: 1995-10-16
Publication date: 1996-04-25
Also published as: SE9403529L; FI108958B; CA2202915A1; FI971608A0; SE9403529D0; NO971772D0; AU3757695A; NO971772L; US5857816A; FI971608L; SE503488C2; JPH10512348A

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening element with a torque-limiting function, comprising on the one hand a fastening member (2, 2') with working threads (4), that is to say threads which are active for the fastening function of the element, and on the other hand a gripping member (3, 3') which is arranged so as to be capable of being turned with the aid of a spanner, wrench, screwdriver or other tool for attaching the fastening element (1, 1') and connected or connectable to the fastening member (2, 2') via torque-transmitting threaded connection (5, 6/17, 18) with sufficient strength in order to be capable of transmitting to the fastening member torque of the size for which the fastening element is intended, and in which the gripping member is arranged to be unscrewed and turned relative to the fastening member, on attachment of the fastening element, only when the torque exceeds a given predetermined torque. The threads (5, 6/17, 18) in the torque-transmitting threaded connection are threaded in the opposite direction compared with the working threads (4).

Description

FASTENING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a fastening element with a torque-limiting function, comprising on the one hand a fastening member with working threads, that is to say threads which are active for the fastening function of the element, and on the other hand a gripping member which is arranged so as to be capable of being turned with the aid of a spanner, wrench, screwdriver or other tool for attaching the fastening element and connected or connectable to the fastening member via a torque-transmitting threaded connection with sufficient strength in order to be capable of transmitting to the fastening member torque of the size for which the fastening element is intended, and in which the gripping member is arranged to be unscrewed and turned relative to the fastening member, on attachment of the fastening element, only when the torque exceeds a given predetermined torque.

STATE OF THE ART

Fastening elements of the type indicated above are known from e.g. SE 365589 and SE

467797.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to make available a fastening element which is improved in relation to known technology. More precisely, the invention aims to make available a fastening element which has at least one of the following improvements in relation to known technology: - possibility of forming a stop on the fastening member with a large stop surface in relation to the cross-section of the fastening member, possibility of foπning a gripping member with a gripping width which is relatively small in relation to the cross- sectional dimensions of the fastening member and/or offering a construction which is advantageous from the manufacturing point of view.

At least on of these and other aims can be achieved with a fastening element which is characterized by what is indicated in the following patent claims. Further characteristics and aspects of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred embodiments. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following description of preferred embodiments, reference will be made to the attached drawing figures, in which

Fig. 1 represents a side view of a torque screw together with a gripping member according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a modified embodiment of the fastening element according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows a side view, partly in section, of a fastening element according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4 represents an end view TV-TV in Fig. 3, F Fiigg.. 5 5 shows a side view, partly in section, of a third preferred embodiment of the invention, where the gripping member and the fastening member are two separatable elements, and

Fig. 6 and

Fig. 6A show a variant of the device according to Fig. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference first to Fig. 1, a fastening element is designated generally with the number 1. It consists of a fastening member in the form of a fastening screw 2 and a gripping member in the form of a torque nut 3. At one end, the fastening screw 2 has normally right-hand threaded working threads 4, i.e. threads which are active for the fastening of the element, and at the other end is a screw head 9. On the screw head 9 there are torque-transmitting outer threads 5 which are left-hand threaded and in the torque nut 3 there are corresponding torque-transmitting left-hand threaded threads 6. Between the region of the working threads 4 and the screw head 9 there is a flange 7 designed as a hexagonal gripping piece. At the same time, the gripping piece 7 functions as a stop and has on its underside a relatively large stop surface 8 intended to be pressed against the object which is to be fastened with the aid of the fastening element.

The screw head 9 is conical like the inside of the torque nut 3 and consequently also the threads 5, 6. The conicity is such that the imaginary point of the cone faces in the direction away form the working threads 4. The angle of inclination has been designated v.

The fastening element 1 thus described functions in the following manner. The torque nut 3 has at the manufacturer's been screwed firmly on the screw head 9, so hard that a given defined torque is required in order to be capable of unscrewing the torque nut 3 from the fastening screw 2. In use, the fastening element 1 functions initially as an integrated screw which is screwed firmly by means of the working threads 4 into a nut member (not shown), e.g. in order to fasten an object against the stop surface 8. The screwing is carried out with the aid of an adjustable spanner, fixed spanner, spanner, pipe wrench, multifix wrench or the like, which grips around the torque nut 3. When the fastening screw 2 has "bottomed" with the stop surface 8 against the object (not shown), the fastening element 1 is turned further until the predetermined torque is reached and exceeded, whereupon the torque nut 3 comes off the screw head 9. Because the threads 5, 6 of the torque nut 3 and of the screw head 9 are left-hand threaded, the torque nut 3, on continued turning, will move upwards, i.e. away from the working threads 4 of the fastening screw 2.

When the fastening screw 2 is to be unscrewed, the stop 7 is used as gripping piece for an adjustable spanner, fixed spanner or similar tool.

The embodiment according to Fig. 2 differs from the preceding only in that the fastening screw 2 has been provided with an axial, sleeve, shaped extension 10 which has then been upset outwards so that a collar 11 is formed which prevents the torque nut 3 leaving the fastening element when the torque nut 3 has been unscrewed.

Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a fastening element 1' with a fastening member in the form of a fastening screw 2' which at its one end is provided with conventional, right- hand threaded working threads 4. At the other end is a screw head 15 and a screw neck 16. In the screw head 15 are inner torque-transmitting, left-hand threaded threads 17 which interact with torque-transmitting outer, left-hand threaded threads on a torque screw 3'. The torque screw has a first hexagon socket 19 for a hexagon socket spanner for manoeuvring the integrated fastening element 1'.

In order to unscrew the fastening screw 2', there is in the screw neck 16 a second hexagon socket 20 which is coaxial with the first hexagon socket 19 in the screw head 15 so that a smaller hexagon socket spanner can be passed through the screw head 15 into the hexagon socket 20 in the screw neck 16. The screw neck 16 also functions as a stop and has on its underside a stop surface 21 facing the working threads 4 which can be pressed against an object on attachment of the fastening element 1'.

The torque screw 3' and its outer left-hand threaded threads 18 are conical like the internal shape of the corresponding nut member in the screw head 15 with its inner left- hand threaded threads 17. The angle of inclination of the cone has been designated v'. The conicity is furthermore such that the imaginary point of the cone faces in the direction towards the working threads 4 of the fastening screw 2'.

The fastening element 1' is handled and functions in a manner which is similar to that which has been described in connection with the embodiment according to Fig. 1. The torque screw 3' has at the manufacturer's been screwed firmly in the screw head 15 with such great force that a given defined torque is required to unscrew the torque screw 3' from its engagement with the screw head 15. The integrated fastening element 1' is screwed firmly by means of the working threads 4, in which connection use is made of a hexagon socket spanner which is arranged in the first hexagon socket 19 in the screw head 15. It will be understood that the fastening element 1' is suited for being capable of being arranged in, and in its totality for being capable of being countersunk in, a borehole. When the fastening element 1' has been screwed firmly so far that the stop/the screw neck 16 has bottomed, i.e. that the stop surface 21 has been brought to bear against a bearing surface, the fastening element 1' is tightened further with the aid of the hexagon socket spanner in the hexagon socket 19 until the predetermined torque is reached and exceeded. With this, the torque screw 3' is unscrewed from its engagement with the left-hand threaded inner threads 17 in the screw head 15. On continued turning, the torque screw 3' moves upwards, i.e. away from the working threads 4, after which no further torque can be transmitted to the fastening screw 2'.

When the fastening screw 2' is to be unscrewed, a smaller hexagon socket spanner is introduced into the inner hexagon socket 20 in the screw neck 16 and is turned.

In Fig. 5 an integrated fastening element is designated 1". It consists of a standard type fastening screw 2" with a hexagon socket 20 and a torque member 3". The standard type fastening screw 2" in one end thereof has conventional, right-hand threaded working threads 4 and in its opposite end a screw head 15" accommodating said hexagon socket 20. The underside of the screw head in a conventional manner has a stop surface 21, which can be pressed against an object at the tightening of the fastening device 1".

The torque member 3" is a separate unit, which initially preferably is united with the fastening screw 2" by a hexagon pin 23 forming an extension of a left-hand threaded torque screw 9 having threads 6. A torque nut cooperating with torque screw 9 is designated 3. Its interior, left-hand threaded threads are designated 6. The torque screw 9 is conical as well as the inside of the torque nut 3 and hence also the threads 5, 6. The conicity is furthermore such that the imaginary point of the cone faces in the direction from the working threads 4 of the hexagon screw 2". The angle of inclination is designated v. The herein described fastening device 1" works in the following way. The torque nut 3 has been screwed tight on the torque screw 9 by the manufacturer so firmly that a given defined torque is required to unscrew the torque nut 3 from the torque screw 9. Further, the torque member 3" is disengagably connected to the fastening screw 2" therein that the hexagon pin 23 is inserted into the hexagon socket 20 where it is secured with some power by means of a suitable adhesive between the hexagon pin 23 and the hexagon socket 20 or just through the friction between the said two elements. The securing force, however, is not greater than it can allow the torque member 3" to be disengaged from the hexagon screw 2" by hand or by means of a simple tool.

In operation, the fastening element 1" initially works as an integrated screw, which is screwed tightly by means of the working threads 4 in a not shown nut member, e.g. for clamping an object against the abutment surface 21. The screw operation is performed by means of a crescent spanner, an open ended spanner, a ring spanner, a monkey wrench, a grabber spanner, or the like, which grips around the torque nut 3. When the fastening screw 2" has "bottomed" with the stop surface 22 against the object (not shown), the fastening element 1" is turned further until the predetermined torque is reached and exceeded, whereupon the torque nut 3 comes off the torque screw 9. Because the threads 5, 6 of the torque nut 3 and the torque screw 9 are left-hand threaded, the torque nut 3, upon continued turning, will move upwards, i.e. away from the working threads 4 of the fastening screw 2". Thereafter the torque member 3" is disengaged from the fastening screw 2". When the fastening screw shall be loosened, and alien key is used in a conventional manner.

The substantial advantages with the device according to Fig. 5 is that the fastening member consists of a standardized fastening element, that the parts which are specially manufactured are restricted to the torque nut 3 and the torque screw 9, the designs of which are comparatively simple, which reduced the manufacturing costs, and that the torque member can be removed from the fastening member after use.

At the device according to Fig. 6, the fastening member as according to the just described device, consists of a standard type hexagon screw 2". The same reference numerals as in Fig. 5 have been used for the different details of the screw. The torque member 3" consists of a torque nut 3 a and a torque screw 9a. The latter one is provided with a hexagon pin 23 which initially and during the use of the device is inserted into the hexagon socket 20 of the fastening screw 2". The torque nut 3a and the torque screw 9a have right-hand threaded threads 5 a and 6a, respectively. When using the fastening element 1 ' ", the torque member 3 " ' is united with the fastening screw 2" . The fastening element 3'" in other words initially works as an integrated screw, as according to the previous embodiments, said screw being screwed tight by means of the working threads 4 in a nut member (not shown). The screwing is performed by means of a tool which grips around the torque nut 3 a, the underside of which initially abuts the screw head 15". When the fastening screw 2" has "bottomed" with its abutment surface 21 against the not shown object, the fastening element 1'" is tightened further until the predetermined torque is reached, wherein the torque nut 3a is released from the torque screw 9a. Because the threads 5a and 6a of the torque member 3"' are right-hand threaded, the torque screw 9a herein is forced to move upwards relative to the torque nut 3 a. This also can be expressed in such a way that the torque nut 3 a is forced against the screw head 15". This has to the result that the hexagon pin 23 of the torque screw 9a is pulled up, out of the hexagon socket 20, so that the torque member 3'" automatically is released form the fastening screw 2".

When the fastening screw 2" shall be unscrewed, an alien key or similar tool can be used as according to the previous embodiment.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Fastening element with a torque-limiting function, comprising on the one hand a fastening member (2, 2') with working threads (4), that is to say threads which are active for the fastening function of the element, and on the other hand a gripping member (3, 3') which is arranged so as to be capable of being turned with the aid of a spanner, wrench, screwdriver or other tool for attaching the fastening element (1, 1') and connected or connectable to the fastening member (2, 2') via torque-transmitting threaded connection (5, 6/17, 18) with sufficient strength in order to be capable of transmitting to the fastening member torque of the size for which the fastening element is intended, and in which the gripping member is arranged to be unscrewed and turned relative to the fastening member, on attachment of the fastening element, only when the torque exceeds a given predetermined torque, characterized n that the threads (5, 6/17, 18) in the torque-transmitting threaded connection are threaded in the opposite direction compared with the working threads (4).

2. Fastening element according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening member is constituted by a fastening screw (2, 2').

3. Fastening element according to claim 2, characterized in that the gripping member is constituted by a torque nut (3) an in that the torque-transmitting threaded connection is formed by inner threads (6) of the torque nut and outer threads (59 of the fastening screw at its other end facing away from the working threads

4. Fastening element according to claim 3, characterized in that the fastening screw has, between the region of the working threads and the region of said second threads, at least one flange (7) intended to serve as a stop against an object to which the fastening element is to be attached.

5. Fastening element according to claim 4, characterized in that said flange is formed as a gripping piece intended to be used when the fastening screw is to be unscrewed.

6. Fastening element according to any one of claims 3-5^ characterized in that the fastening screw has at its second end an outwardly upset part (11) which prevents the torque nut (3) from leaving the fastening element after it has been unscrewed.

7. Fastening element according to claim 2, characterized in that the gripping member is constituted by a torque screw (3') and in that the torque-transmitting gripping connection is formed by external threads (18) of the torque screw and internal threads (17) in a screw head (15) on the fastening screw (2'), which screw head is formed as a nut.

8. Fastening element according to claim 7, characterized in that the torque screw (3') as gripping piece has an internal socket (19) for a gripping tool, preferably a hexagon socket.

9. Fastening element according to claim 8, characterized in that the fastening screw also, inside the torque screw, has an internal socket (20) for a gripping tool, preferably a hexagon socket, and preferably of a smaller dimension in cross-section than the socket (19) in the torque screw.

10. Fastening element according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that the threads of the torque- transmitting threaded connection are conical, and in that the point of the cone in the imaginary extension of the threads faces away from the region of the working threads of the fastening screw.

11. Fastening element according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that the threads of the torque-transmitting threaded connection are conical, and in that the point of the cone in the imaginary extension of the threads faces in the same direction as the working threads of the fastening screw.

12. Fastening element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the working threads are right-hand threaded, while the threads in the torque-transmitting threaded connection are left-hand threaded.

13. Fastening element according to any of claims 1-12, characterized in that one hand the fastening member (2") and on the other hand the torque member (3'") including the gripping means (3, 3a) are separate or separatable units.

14. Fastening element according to claim 13, characterized in that the fastening member is a standardized fastening element.

15. Fastening element with a torque-limiting function, comprising on the one hand a fastening member (2") with working threads (4), that is to say threads which are active for the fastening function of the element, and on the other hand a torque member (3", 3'") comprising a gripping member (3, 3a), which is arranged so as to be capable of being turned with the aid of a key, pliers, a screwdriver, or other tool for attaching the fastening element (2"), wherein the gripping member is connected or connectable to the fastening member via a torque-transmitting threaded connection (5, 6) in the torque member with sufficient strength in order to be capable of transmitting to the fastening member torque of the size for which the fastening element is intended, and wherein the gripping member is arranged to be unscrewed and turned relative to the fastening member only when the torque exceeds a given predetermined torque, characterized in that the fastening element and the torque member are two separate or separatable members.

16. Fastening element according to claim 15, characterized in that the torque- transmitting thread connection of the torque member has conical threads.

17. Fastening element according to claim 16, characterized in that the gripping member is a torque nut (3, 3a) cooperating with a torque screw (9, 9a) which is connected or connectable to the fastening element.

18. Fastening element according to claim 17, characterized in that the conical threads of the torque member are left-hand threaded.

19. Fastening element according to claim 17, characterized in that the conical threads of the torque member are right-hand threaded.